Abstract

LEON MEZA, C. René de. Wheat Production in 17th Century Nueva Galicia. Secuencia [online]. 2016, n.94, pp.39-76. ISSN 2395-8464.  https://doi.org/10.18234/secuencia.v0i94.1345.

The article studies the factors that determined the development and consolidation of wheat production in various districts of the New Kingdom of Galicia in the 17th century, using the most recent founding of Guadalajara as a reference. It highlights the crucial role played by indigenous labor in this industry, through the forced labor system, which remained in place until the 18th century, unlike New Spain, where it was abolished in 1633. This paper hypothesizes that the shortage of wheat and flour experienced by the inhabitants of the city of Guadalajara was due to collusion between the town's council and merchants and producers, which involved hoarding and concealing these materials and subsequently selling them at high prices. The policy implemented by the governors, of not creating a corn exchange to concentrate and regulate the sale of these products, confirms this statement.

Keywords : wheat; Indies; forced labor; haciendas; food.